You might as well meet the man, since opposing hitters have hardly said hello to his fastball this season.

With a record of 15-3 the Blue Jays have gotten off to a stellar start in the 2014 campaign and the biggest surprise has been the play of Avrard who has, thus far, compiled arguably the best pitching-resume in the metro-area this year.

“His main strength is that he throws strike one,” said Jesuit Coach Joey Latino who saw his senior dominate in wins against highly ranked St. Amant and West Ouachita recently. “As silly as that sounds, too many pitchers fall behind in the count early and that makes the job of the pitch-caller that much harder…but even in those rare occasions when he does fall behind, I’m confident he can throw any of his other pitches for strikes.”

In 26 innings this season the 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-hander is 4-0 with 28 strikeouts and a remarkably minuscule 0.27 ERA.

Utilizing primarily fastballs and changeups—while peppering in a deceptively accurate curveball—Avrard has given up just 11 hits, six walks and one earned run while facing 96 batters.

In his final season he's moved the bull’s-eye from the catcher's mitt and placed it directly on his back.

"I'm a senior now and I'm feeling real confident," said Avrard, who relies on precision pitching in the 88-85 mph range. "I've been working hard all off-season getting ready for this year because this is it.

"I just want to lead by example with everything I do because there are people watching—especially our young guys..."

The righty's confidence will be tested this Friday night as Jesuit, NOLA.com | The Times–Picayune's No. 2 ranked Large School will face Catholic League foe and No. 1 ranked Brother Martin (17-2), who has some of the best hitters in the city led by National All-American and LSU commit Gregory Deichmann.

Avrard will get the start in this rivalry match up and knows this is a barometer for future success.

“Our goals are obviously to reach our potential and we want to win as many games as we can,” he said. “So I’m just going to do the best I can and do what I can for this team and if that ultimately ends in a championship—that's our main goal.”

Jesuit Brandon Sequeira (10) slides under a leaping Holy Cross Sammy Capielano (30) on a steal as the ball heads to center field and Sequeira heads to third during action at Kirsch-Rooney Stadium, Tuesday, March 5, 2013. (Ted Jackson, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

Along with Avrard, Jesuit is led by senior pitcher Brandon Sequeira (5-0).

Sequeira, a recent Tulane commitment, is also having an exceptional year with a 1.01 ERA, but it is his less-heralded teammate who is now turning heads.

“His velocity is there, he’s been unhittable and his changeup is disgusting,” Sequeira said in delight. “Me and C.J. go way back to fifth grade and we've always been the two guys for (our teams) so it's great to be out here doing this together.

“I’m going to miss him next year, but he’s been awesome.”

In one short offseason Avrard has transformed himself from a reliable starter to someone Coach Latino thinks will certainly garner interest on the next level. What Avrard lacks in pure-arm strength he makes up for in ball-placement and scrupulous first-pitch accuracy.

"He can throw his changeup or his curveball for strikes at any time in the count, (so) I think he is going to have some (recruiting) options,” Latino said. “When you look at his big frame he's gotten physically stronger and he keeps getting better each outing. He's been really good, really consistent and that's all we can ask of the young man…”

Latino believes that his senior is one of the most humble kids on the team; however, standing as tall as 6-foot-6 when planted on the mound, that low-key demeanor is translated as intimidation to those that occupy the batters’ box.

“I want to get strikes and not let anyone get on base not even a walk,” Avrard said flatly. “Sky is the limit for us. We're in charge of our own destiny and I feel like we can do it… so let’s go do it.”